Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday announced that the state government will approach the High Court seeking permission to reopen the 1996 Kalyanpur Bazar Colony Massacre case. He said the move aims to ensure justice for the victims and hold those responsible accountable.
Dr. Saha made the announcement while paying floral tributes to the victims at Kalyanpur in Khowai district. Recalling the tragic incident, he said, “Twenty-nine years ago, on the night of December 12, 1996, around 26 innocent people—including children, women, elderly, and men—were brutally killed by terrorists. The elderly present today witnessed that horror. I seek blessings from the martyrs to give me strength to fight for justice.”
The Chief Minister strongly criticised the then ruling Left Front, alleging that the violence occurred under Communist-backed influence. He said that despite their history, the CPI(M) continues to have representation in the Assembly. He also accused certain groups of attempting to create disturbances by shifting loyalties while operating under different banners.
Stressing the government’s commitment to peace, Dr. Saha said, “If everyone wants peace, our government is working tirelessly to ensure it. During earlier regimes, several massacres occurred, including the killing of 69 people in the South district. The ATTF carried out the massacre here. Though accords were signed to bring militants into the mainstream, those who committed heinous crimes must face justice.”
Dr. Saha added that the present government continues to work for the welfare and development of both jati and janajati communities across Tripura. “We will not allow politics of guns and intimidation. We are committed to building a new Tripura. The Communists never paid homage to the victims of Kalyanpur. We will appeal to reopen the cases so that justice is delivered,” he stated.
Chief Whip Kalyan Roy, MLA Pinaki Das Chowdhury, and several other leaders were present at the programme.
